Michael R. Hudec
Professional Summary
May 2, 2014
Business address: The University of Texas at Austin
Bureau of Economic Geology
University Station, Box X
Austin, Texas 78713-8924
(512) 471-1428
E-mail address:
Academic Background
B.A. Geology, Amherst College, 1983
M.S. Geology, University of Southern California, 1987
Ph.D. Geology, University of Wyoming, 1990
Areas of Expertise
- Salt tectonics.
- Structural geology.
- Cross-section restoration and balancing.
- Seismic interpretation.
- 3-D computer modeling.
Professional Work Experience
A. Present Position: Senior Research Scientist, Bureau of Economic Geology, The University of Texas at Austin (August 2000 - Present).
Co-Principal Investigator of the Applied Geodynamics Lab Industrial Associates program studying salt tectonics. Responsibilities shared with Martin Jackson: establishing AGL research directions, administrative decision-making, visits to supporting companies. Sole responsibilities: computer issues, slide set distribution, annual meeting logistics, website maintenance, intra-team technical review meetings. Research responsibilities: developing guidelines for the interpretation and restoration of salt structures and techniques for understanding sediment geometries and hydrocarbon traps adjacent to salt structures.
B. Assistant Professor, Baylor University, Waco, TX (September 1997 - August 2000).
Responsible for teaching graduate and undergraduate classes, advising graduate students, and developing and administering a research program in structural geology. Full member of graduate faculty.
C. Research Scientist, Exxon Production Research, Houston, TX (October 1989 - September 1997).
Duties included research in structural geology, short-term research application assignments for Exxon exploration and production affiliates, and teaching in a variety of Exxon internal schools.
Professional Societies
American Association of Petroleum Geologists
Geological Society of America
Gulf Coast Section, SEPM
Awards and Honorary Societies
AAPG A. I. Levorsen Memorial Award for Best Paper Presented, 2012 GCAGS Convention, Austin, Texas, 2012
Publication Award, Bureau of Economic Geology, in Special Recognition by the Director for Landmark Publication, “The Salt Mine: A Digital Atlas of Salt Tectonics”, 2012
First Place Thomas A. Philpott Excellence of Presentation Award, 2012 GCAGS Convention, Austin, Texas, 2012
Award of Excellence, “Top 10” Poster Presentation at AAPG Annual Convention, Is There a Subsalt Foldbelt in the Central U.S. Gulf of Mexico?, 2010
Award of Excellence, “Top 10” Poster Presentation at AAPG Annual Convention, Deformation Styles and Linkage of Salt Walls during Oblique Shortening, 2009
Jules Braunstein Memorial Award for best poster at AAPG Annual Convention, Dismembered Sutures Formed during Asymmetric Salt-Sheet Collision, 2008
Publication Award, Bureau of Economic Geology (exemplary publication of scientific or economic impact), 2008
A. I. Levorsen Award as co-author of Best Paper presented at Gulf Coast Section, AAPG Annual Meeting, Importance of Allochthonous Salt in Texas State Waters: Paleo-Canopy Presence and New Exploration Paradigms, 2007
American Association of Petroleum Geologists George C. Matson Award for "A Compressional Origin for Minibasins near the Sigsbee Escarpment, Gulf of Mexico", 2005 - 2006
Outstanding Instructor Award, Exxon Production Research Company, 1993
National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship, 1988 - 1989
National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship, 1987 - 1988
National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship, 1986 - 1987
University of Southern California All-University Merit Fellowship, 1985 - 1986
University of Southern California All-University Merit Fellowship, 1984 - 1985
Award of Excellence, “Top 10” Poster Presentation at AAPG Annual Convention, Canopy Evolution: Deformation Processes and Subsidence Patterns
Committee Responsibilities and Professional Activities
Senior Technical Advisor, Bureau of Economic Geology, 2012 - present
Session Chair, Salt, Sub-Salt and Pre-Salt Tectonics, Models and Hydrocarbon Traps, 2010 American Association of Petroleum Geologists Annual Convention, New OrleansApril, 2010
Session Chair, Salt Basins of the World: Broadening our Understanding of Salt Tectonics, 2009 Annual American Association of Petroleum Geologists Convention, Denver, Colorado June, 2009
Chair, Promotions Advisory Committee, Bureau of Economic Geology, 2008 - 2009
Member, Appointments Committee, Jackson School of Geosciences, 2008 - 2010
Session Chair, New Insights in Allochthonous Salt Tectonics, 2008 American Association of Petroleum Geologists Annual Convention, San AntonioApril, 2008
Member, Promotions Advisory Committee, Bureau of Economic Geology, 2007 - 2009
Member, Endowment Committee, John A. and Katherine G. Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, 2005 - 2006
Member, Initiative Review Committee, John A. and Katherine G. Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, 2005
Chair, Associate Director for Environmental Research Search Committee, Bureau of Economic Geology, 2003 - 2004
Leader, Salt and Extensional Tectonics in the Paradox Basin, Field Seminar, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Moab, Utah, 2003
Member, Information Distribution System Task Force, Bureau of Economic Geology, Austin, Texas, 2002
Member, Program Advisory Committee, Gulf Coast Section–Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists 24th Annual GCSSEPM Foundation Bob F. Perkins Research Conference, Houston, Texas, 2002 - 2004
Publications
Books, Manuals
Hudec, M. R., and Jackson, M. P. A., 2011, The salt mine: a digital atlas of salt tectonics: The University of Texas at Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology, Udden Book Series No. 5; AAPG Memoir 99, 305 p.
Travis, C. J., Vendeville, B. C., Harrison, H., Peel, Frank, Hudec, M. R., and Perkins, B. F., eds., 1995, Salt, sediment, and hydrocarbons: Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists Foundation, Sixteenth Annual Gulf Coast Section Research Conference, 308 p.
Reports, Monographs, Brochures, Pamphlets, Bulletins
Hudec, M. R., 2003, Quick-look chart for restoration of salt structures in cross section: The University of Texas at Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology poster + 10-p. booklet.
Jackson, M. P. A., Schultz-Ela, D., Hudec, M. R., Watson, I. A., and Porter, M. L., 2001, Structure and evolution of Upheaval Dome: pinched-off salt diapir or meteoritic impact structure?: The University of Texas at Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology Report of Investigations No. 262, 93 p.
Guidebooks
Hudec, M. R., and Watson, I. A., 1998, Salt and extensional structures in the northeastern Paradox Basin, Utah: American Association of Petroleum Geologists American Association of Petroleum Geologists Annual Meeting Postmeeting Field Trip Guidebook, 78 p.
Chapters/Sections
Hudec, M. R., and Jackson, M. P. A., 2012, Chapter 2. De Re Salica: fundamental principles of salt tectonics, in Roberts, D. G., and Bally, A. W., eds., Regional geology and tectonics: Phanerozoic passive margins, cratonic basins, and global tectonic maps: Amsterdam, Elsevier, p. 19‒41.
Wehr, F. L., Fairchild, L. H., Hudec, M. R., Shafto, R. K., Shea, W. T., and White, J. P., 2000, Chapter 10. Fault seal: contrasts between the exploration and production problem, in Mello, M. R., and Katz, B. J., eds., Petroleum systems of South Atlantic margins: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Memoir, v 73, p. 121–132.
Hudec, M. R., 1995, The Onion Creek salt diapir: an exposed diapir fall structure in the Paradox basin, Utah, in Travis, C. J., Harrison H., Hudec, M. R., Vendeville, B. C., Peel, F. J., and Perkins, B. F, eds., Salt, sediment, and hydrocarbons: Gulf Coast Section, Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists Foundation, Sixteenth Annual Research Conference, p. 125–134.
Articles
Peer Reviewed
Dooley, Tim, Jackson, M. P. A., and Hudec, M. R., 2013, Coeval extension and shortening above and below salt canopies on an uplifted, continental margin: Application to the northern Gulf of Mexico: AAPG Bulletin, v. 97, no. 10, p. 1737-1764.
Hudec, M. R., Jackson, M. P. A., and Peel, Frank, 2013, Influence of deep Louann structure on the evolution of the northern Gulf of Mexico: AAPG Bulletin, v. 97, no. 10, p. 1711–1735.
Hudec, M. R., Norton, Ian, Jackson, M. P. A., and Peel, Frank, 2013, Jurassic evolution of the Gulf of Mexico salt basin: AAPG Bulletin, v. 97, no. 10, p. 1683–1710.
Dooley, T. P., Hudec, M. R., and Jackson, M. P. A., 2012, The structure and evolution of sutures in allochthonous salt: AAPG Bulletin, v. 96, no. 6, p. 1045‒1070.
Nikolinakou, M. A., Luo, G., Hudec, M. R., and Flemings, P. B., 2012, Geomechanical modeling of stresses adjacent to salt bodies: Part 2—poroelastoplasticity and coupled overpressures: AAPG Bulletin, v. 96, no. 1, p. 65‒85.
Luo, G., Nikolinakou, M. A., Flemings, P. B., and Hudec, M. R., 2012, Geomechanical modeling of stresses adjacent to salt bodies: Part 1—uncoupled models: AAPG Bulletin, v. 96, no. 1, p. 43‒64.
Jackson, M. P. A., Hudec, M. R., and Dooley, T. P., 2010, Some emerging concepts in salt tectonics in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico: intrusive plumes, canopy-margin thrusts, minibasin triggers and allochthonous fragments: The Geological Society, London, Petroleum Geology Conference Series, v. 7, p. 899‒912. doi: 10.1144/0070899
McDonnell, Angela, Jackson, M. P. A., and Hudec, M. R., 2010, Origin of transverse folds in an extensional growth-fault setting: evidence from an extensive seismic volume in the western Gulf of Mexico: Marine and Petroleum Geology, v. 27, p. 1494–1507
McDonnell, Angela, Hudec, M. R., and Jackson, M. P. A., 2009, Distinguishing salt welds from shale detachments on the inner Texas shelf, western Gulf of Mexico: Basin Research, v. 21, p. 47–59.
Hudec, M. R., Jackson, M. P. A., and Schultz-Ela, D., 2009, The paradox of minibasin subsidence into salt: clues to the evolution of crustal basins: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 121, no. 1/2, p. 201–221; doi: 10.1130/B26275.1.
Dooley, T. P., Jackson, M. P. A., and Hudec, M. R., 2009, Inflation and deflation of deeply buried salt stocks during lateral shortening: Journal of Structural Geology, v. 31, no. 6, p. 582–600.
Hudec, M. R., and Jackson, M. P. A., 2009, Interaction between spreading salt canopies and their peripheral thrust systems: Journal of Structural Geology, v. 31, p. 1114–1129.
Jackson, M. P. A., Hudec, M. R., Jennette, D. C., and Kilby, R. E., 2008, Evolution of the Cretaceous Astrid thrust belt in the ultradeep-water lower Congo Basin, Gabon: AAPG Bulletin, v. 92, p. 487–511 (also cover photograph).
Dooley, T. P., Jackson, M. P. A., and Hudec, M. R., 2007, Initiation and growth of salt-based thrustbelts on passive margins: results from physical models: Basin Research, v. 19, p. 165–177.
Hudec, M. R., and Jackson, M. P. A., 2007, Terra infirma: understanding salt tectonics: Earth-Science Reviews, v. 82, p. 1–24.
Prochnow, S. J., Nordt, L. C., Atchley, S. C., and Hudec, M. R., 2006, Multi-proxy paleosol evidence for middle and late Triassic climate trends in eastern Utah: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecolology, v. 232, p. 53–72.
Hudec, M. R., and Jackson, M. P. A., 2006, Advance of allochthonous salt sheets in passive margins and orogens: AAPG Bulletin, v. 90, no. 10, p. 1535–1564. Also in Rowan, M. G., compiler, 2006, Getting started in salt tectonics: a compendium of influential papers, AAPG/Datapages, Getting Started Series No. 6, CD-ROM.
Prochnow, S. J., Atchley, S. C., Boucher, T. E., Nordt, L. C., and Hudec, M. R., 2006, The influence of salt withdrawal subsidence on paleosol maturity and cyclic fluvial deposition in the Upper Triassic Chinle Formation: Castle Valley, Utah: Sedimentology, v. 53, p. 1319–1345.
Jackson, M. P. A., and Hudec, M. R., 2005, Stratigraphic record of translation down ramps in a passive-margin salt detachment: Journal of Structural Geology, v. 27, p. 889–911.
Prochnow, S. J., Nordt, L. C., Atchley, S. C., Hudec, Michael, and Boucher, T. E., 2005, Triassic paleosol catenas associated with a salt-withdrawal minibasin in southeastern Utah, U.S.A.: Rocky Mountain Geology, v. 40, no. 1, p. 25–49.
Jackson, M. P. A., Hudec, M. R., and Hegarty, K. A., 2005, The great West African Tertiary coastal uplift: fact or fiction? A perspective from the Angolan divergent margin: Tectonics, v. 24, TC6014, doi:10.1029/2005TC001836.
Canérot, Joseph, Hudec, M. R., and Rockenbauch, Konrad, 2005, Mesozoic diapirism in the Pyrenean orogen: salt tectonics on a transform plate boundary: AAPG Bulletin, v. 89, no. 2, p. 211–229.
Hudec, M. R., and Jackson, M. P. A., 2004, Regional restoration across the Kwanza Basin, Angola: salt tectonics triggered by repeated uplift of a metastable passive margin: AAPG Bulletin, v. 88, no. 7, p. 971–990.
Jackson, M. P. A., Warin, O. N., Woad, G. M., and Hudec, M. R., 2003, Neoproterozoic allochthonous salt tectonics during the Lufilian orogeny in the Katangan Copperbelt, central Africa: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 115, no. 3, p. 314–330.
Hudec, M. R., and Jackson, M. P. A., 2002, Structural segmentation, inversion, and salt tectonics on a passive margin: evolution of the Inner Kwanza Basin, Angola: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 114, no. 10, p. 1222–1244.
Jackson, M. P. A., Schultz-Ela, D., Hudec, M. R., Watson, I. A., and Porter, M. L., 1998, Structure and evolution of Upheaval Dome: a pinched-off salt diapir: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 110, no. 12, p. 1547–1573.
Fletcher, R. C., Hudec, M. R., and Watson, I. A., 1995, Salt glacier and composite sediment-salt glacier models for the emplacement and early burial of allochthonous salt sheets, in Jackson, M. P. A., Roberts, D. G., and Snelson, S., eds., Salt tectonics: a global perspective: American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Memoir 65, p. 77–108.
Hudec, M. R., 1992, Mesozoic structural and metamorphic history of the central Ruby Mountains metamorphic core complex, Nevada: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 104, p. 1086–1100.
Hudec, M. R., and Davis, G. A., 1989, Out-of-sequence thrust faulting and duplex formation in the Lewis thrust system, Spot Mountain, southeastern Glacier National Park, Montana: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 26, p. 2356–2364.
Non-Peer-Reviewed
Nikolinakou, M. A., Merrell, M., Luo, G., Flemings, P. B., and Hudec, M. R., 2013, Geomechanical modeling of the Mad Dog salt, Gulf of Mexico: 47th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, San Francisco, CA, 23–26 June.
Luo, G., Nikolinakou, M. A., Flemings, P. B., and Hudec, M. R., 2012, Near-salt stress and wellbore stability: A finite element study and its application, in Proceedings of the 46th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, Chicago, June 24–28, Paper 12-309, 9 p.
Nikolinakou, M. A., Luo, Gang, Hudec, M. R., and Flemings, P. B., 2011, Geomechanical modeling of stresses and pore pressures in mudstones adjacent to salt bodies, in Proceedings of the 45th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, San Francisco, June 26–29, 8 p., CD-ROM.
Hudec, M. R., 2009, Salt, in Laubach, S. E., and Tinker, S. W., eds., 2009, Earth’s art: celebrating the Centennial of the Bureau of Economic Geology, 1909–2009: The University of Texas at Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology, p. 54–55.
Montoya, P., Tatham, R., Fisher, W., Steel, R., and Hudec, M., 2006, Definition of depositional geological elements in deep-water minibasins of the Gulf of Mexico using spectral decomposition in depth domain, in EAGE 68th Conference and Exhibition, Paper Number C008, Session: Best of SEG, Vienna, Austria, June 12–15, p. 480–485.